The Top Five Shopping Malls In Jakarta

With a population surpassing 10 million people, and as the capital of the world’s fourth most populous nation (Indonesia trails only China, India and the United States), Jakarta is one of the world’s largest megalopolises. Perhaps it goes without saying, then, that there will be some spectacular places for all those people, plus the additional 10 million foreigners who visit Indonesia each year, to shop.

To help you cut through the noise, I've taken an in-depth look at the shopping mall selection in Jakarta and selected what I believe are the five best:

If you find yourself in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), definitely drop by Pacific Place Jakarta, the modern and stylish shopping complex that caters to both chic shoppers and entertainment-seeking families. Housing approximately 200 retail outlets, including Prada, Miu Miu, The Body Shop and Hermes, Pacific Place is also home to KidZania, a 6th-floor indoor theme park for the little ones.

Officially launched in August 1996, Mal Taman Anggrek – which is Indonesian for Orchid Garden Mall – is seven storeys of shop-til-you-drop goodness in West Jakarta. From fashion accessories to leather goods, sporting apparel to children’s toys, the mall is home to 400+ retail outlets, including many well-known brands like UNIQLO, Steve Madden, ELLE and L'Occitane. Mal Taman Anggrek receives an astounding 18 million visitors annually, many of whom come to experience the cinema, ice skating rink and, as though to suggest that Jakarta isn’t warm enough already, the health club complete with sauna.

True to its name, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town is one of the grandest and largest shopping complexes in all of Indonesia. With a total retail floor area of 6.9 million square feet and parking for a whopping 5,500 cars, you’ll be lucky to see even half of this megamall; in fact, the complex is so huge that it’s been split into two main buildings connected by a skybridge. Grand Indonesia houses high-end brands and well-known labels alike, including H&M, PULL&BEAR, bebe, Forever 21 and TOPSHOP. The mall is also extremely proud of its dancing fountain show, which you can catch on weekdays between noon and 9pm or on weekends between noon and 8pm.

Locally known as PIM, Pondok Indah Mall is located near a wealthy residential area of South Jakarta’s Pondok Indah suburb. As such, there’s a healthy selection of high-end retail shops like Braun Büffel and Karen Millen inside, though you’ll also find plenty of more affordable brands like Banana Republic and Giordano as well.

Compared to some of the malls above, Plaza Senayan, located in the city center, is smaller and more upscale. Still, small is a relative term when it comes to malls in Jakarta; you’ll still find well over 250 stores, including Fendi, Levi's, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg and Guess. As you meander through the mall, stop by the Marygold Clock in the main atrium at the top of the hour to see its change accompanied by orchestral music and animated figures moving in rhythm with the tune.

These five malls should have just about everything you need, though if not, you can always turn to the local marketplace app Carousell, which has been connecting buyers and sellers of furniture, electronics, and other consumer goods in cities across Asia since 2012. If you still can't find what you need, Amazon also ships to Indonesia, though be sure to filter out items that don't ship to Indonesia to avoid frustration when you check out.

As a final note, don’t forget that Jakarta was named the city with the world’s worst traffic in 2015, so getting around can be a mess. Rather than driving and getting stuck in traffic yourself, I recommend GO-JEK, the rapidly-growing Indonesian app for hailing local motorcycle rides (think Uber for motorcycles) or, of course, Uber itself, which has been active in Indonesia for a few years. When it's well above 85° outside, as it often is in Jakarta, you'll be glad you opted for a car with air conditioning.

I'm the founder of Yore Oyster, a corporate flights concierge that saves companies 20-40% on their business class flights. Under the Yore Oyster brand, we've launched How I Travel, a wanderlust publication showcasing the stories of some of the world's most interesting travel...